MR WARD AND THE HOBART CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2414, 21 January 1895, Page 3

MR WARD AND THE HOBART CONFERENCE.

TO THE EDITOB.

Sib, Apparently a misunderstanding regarding the arranging of the Hobart Conference has occurred, and aa the several colonies concerned treated me with great courtesy and kindness, X should esteem it a favour if you would allow me to say that the date originally fixed by Victoria was the 26th February, at which I was invited to bo present. I replied that I regretted my absence at that date from the colonies would not enable mo to personally represent Now. Zealand ; and the other colonics concerned yat once • expressed through the Victorian I’cstmaster-General their willingness, if possible, to suit mo. • In replying X asked whether they could kindly make the mooting place Hobart on tho Ist February, as X wished to raeotjother Ministers who would then bo at the Federal Council there. After each of the other colonies wore consulted, my request was very considerately complied with by them all. X would be very sorry to believo that anyone should think, as was suggested in one quarter, that any deception- on my part was practised. X need scarcely say that the fullest information concerning my intended movements was furnished to the Victorian PostmasterGeneral, and ho was in full possession of my intention to go on to Melbourne, and tho date I was to ,be there; and further, I stated my willingness to attend at Melbourne if my suggestion re Xlobart could not be complied with.—l am, &0., J. G. Ward. Dunedin, January 19th, 1895. [ln justice to Mr Ward we publish his explanation. We misunderstood what ho said to us about tho Conference, and as the remarks wo, made in consequence have put him in a false position, we readily find space for his letter.—Bn. N.Z.T.]